Michael Vick Sentenced To Federal Prison December 10, 2007
Posted by Reginald Johnson in Celebrity, Culture, Entertainment, Legal, Prisons, Video.add a comment
Michael Vick, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback, never thought a year ago that he would be standing in a federal court building awaiting to be sentenced. He appeared in the courthouse wearing a black and white prison outfit. Vick had came into the courtroom looking to answer for his own mistakes made in this whole mess.
With the pre-sentencing report early in the case the former quarterback should have faced only 12-18 months. This is after accepting a plea deal to conspiracy charges in August. He also promised full disclosure in the case and to completely cooperate with the prosecution. Finally, he told the courts he would make more wise decisions.
It didn’t seem to difficult, once you think about it…but the once possible Hall of Famer worked on making more bad ones. The U.S. Attorney’s office alledges that Vick failed to take responsibility for his actions. He deceived the prosecutors and even tested positive for marijuana [just weeks after promising the judge he'd avoid drugs].
Those senseless mistakes not only sent his sentencing guidelines higher to 18-24 months, but played a part in Judge Henry Hudson’s decision to lean on the high side and send him away for 23 months. Michael Vick won’t take freedom until the middle of 2009.
Early in his court woes, Vick was asked to submit to drug testing. Vick failed the first one, and 17 days after telling the court that hew would avoid drugs and alcohol, Vick failed another drug test - then lied to an investigator about taking drugs. His attorney, William Martin, was trying to help the public and the courts understand where Vick was coming from. Martin said, “Michael Vick was depressed and was self-medicating.”
Had he fully kept clear of drugs, cooperated and told the truth, Vick could have received as little as 12 months. Chances are he would have received 11 months (and done the whole eleven, plus probation) or a year and a day (and done about 10 months or so, plus probation).
Given every opportunity to make up for his dog-fighting crimes, to live up to his word, to prove to everyone that this was just a lapse in judgment of a good man, he did just about everything wrong. We’ve all made bad decisions, but it takes a REAL person to admit it - and keep their word.Back in his cell tonight, that’s the part that ought to haunt him the most.
